Riccardo Ricco Denies Blood Transfusion Allegations

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Riccardo Ricco Denies Blood Transfusion Allegations

Italian Riccardo Ricco denied transfusing his own blood and said he wants to return to cycling after meeting Wednesday with the Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping prosecutor.

Italian Riccardo Ricco denied transfusing his own blood and said he wants to return to cycling after meeting Wednesday with the Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping prosecutor.

Ricco was rushed to a hospital in Pavullo after feeling ill on February 6. The doctor who treated him reportedly told police that Ricco admitted transfusing his own blood, which he allegedly kept in his home refrigerator.

"I don't remember anything about my recovery. I was more dead than alive," Ricco said. "They just told me that it was a virus."

Ricco's lawyer, Fiorenzo Alessi, suggested that there was a misunderstanding produced by "the heat of the moment."

"It's rare that a physician would behave like that," Alessi said.

If a transfusion is proven, Ricco could face a lengthy ban, already having tested positive for the advanced blood-booster CERA after winning two mountain stages in the 2008 Tour de France. That resulted in a 20-month suspension.

Ricco was fired by Dutch team Vacansoleil-DCM and also is facing an inquiry from the public prosecutor in Modena.

Ricco previously said he was done with cycling after reports of the alleged transfusion first surfaced, but since has changed his mind.

"I'm still a professional cyclist and as long as inquiries are still under way I can race and I'm looking for a team," Ricco commented earlier today and added "There are a lot of other riders in my position that race without problem. I started training again a month ago."